Texas RN to BSN Programs

Moving towards a BSN degree as a RN is not always a clear choice for those currently working. There are plenty of benefits to pursuing a BSN, but first, a little explanation to cover the idea behind the degree in the first place. If you are already working as a RN, you know that you don’t need a BSN to pass the NCLEX-RN exam and become certified. Many nurses simply complete a certification or diploma program, take the exam and start working. A BSN does not let you skip the NCLEX-RN, so the extra education is far from a short cut. The reasons you would want to pursue a BSN are numerous though. First, you are going to see a higher total salary over the course of your career. You will also be more desirable to more employers, which will give you the ability to choose who you want to work for. You will also find much more career advancement opportunities by earning this degree. Finally, a BSN is a first step towards an even higher level position such as a nurse practitioner. Even if you have no desire to continue your education past a BSN at this point, having the ability to move further in your education quicker is one that should not be overlooked.

Texas saw a total of 1,300 medical school graduates in 2011. Of those, only a portion (not reported specifically) were nursing graduates. With under 200,000 registered nurses currently working in Texas (as of 2011) the population of over 26 million is too large for those numbers to support. Fortunately, registered nurses in Texas earn almost $67,000 a year on average and you can expect to exceed that number in a relatively short amount of time based on experience and education. Your best option is to work through school and gain as much experience as you can to go along with your new resume upon graduation with a BSN.

Employment

If you are willing to relocate for the best job opportunities you will want to keep the following information in mind. Sherman, Tyler and Victoria have the highest percentage of registered nurses relative to the population of the city. On the other hand, Midland, Austin and Laredo are seeing the lowest percentage of registered nurses compared to population. For the highest average salary, look to Houston, Dallas or McAllen.

The MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, University of Texas Diagnostic in Houston, Surgical and Outpatient Services in Fort Worth, Willford Hall Medical Center in Lackland AFB, Baylor Sammons Cancer Center in Dallas and Parkland Health and Hospital Systems in Dallas rank among the top 20 employers in the state across all industries. Each employer is worth exploring as some will offer unique tuition assistance benefits and other useful assistance as you go back to college.

Finances

The Texas Nurses Association offers a wealth of resources to assist you in finding a career, practicing for exams and continuing education, and finding grants, scholarships or loans. It doesn’t matter where you currently fall in the RN career spectrum, the TNA is there to make things much less difficult on you from the start of your education all the way through to retirement.

You will also find a great deal of tuition relief by visiting the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services website. The HRSA is dedicated to helping overcome the issues that millions of Americans face by not having adequate health care due to the lack of qualified providers. Through their loan repayment programs, grants, scholarships and loans, they will do what they can to make sure that the financial stresses that come along with a formal education are reduced as much as possible.

UTACON is in the heart of the Dallas/Fort Worth area and gives you a robust city and rural life to enjoy throughout your entire education. The school is respected throughout the country and world as one of the premier medical colleges offering an array of academic programs including RN-BSN, MSN, Post MSN NP Certificate, DNP and PhD level educations. You will find that the resources are provided to meet the growing needs of the Metroplex and elsewhere. UT Arlington is dedicated to decreasing the nursing shortage by graduating increased numbers of BSN prepared nurses who will become RNs and meet the education needs of working nurses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. With 5,000 students attending the online Academic Partnership RN-to-BSN program, you can see that the school is succeeding on all fronts.

In addition to UT Arlington, there are plenty of quality educational institutions that can help you move towards your BSN in Texas. Instead of listing each one individually, explore the approved Texas programs and student pass rates that are provided through the Texas Board of Nursing Site. You may find a school that is perfect for you in no time at all.